Girl Scouts visit State House | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

The 12-year-old lobbyists weren't looking for tax breaks for cookie sellers or new laws, instead the members of Cadette Troop 2062 in Pasadena were among 150 Girl Scouts who asked lawmakers to pass legislation that would help fund an expansion of the Girl Scout office in Baltimore.

Del. Theodore Sophocleus, D-Linthicum, told Cadettes Sarah Jones and Briana Gestiehr of Glen Burnie Troop 270 that it's a tough year to be asking for money.

"The governor put in for $15 million for projects like this. We're asking for $20 million. I'm on the Appropriations Committee," he said.

Accompanied by 65 adult leaders and chaperones, the Girl Scouts attended the Girl Scouts' annual Maryland Legislative Day in Annapolis on Feb. 22.

Senate Bill 643 seeks $450,000 to expand the Central Maryland Council office to include a new urban program and environmental training center.

The council, which already has secured matching money, oversees Girl Scouts in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. But during legislative day, there were also Scouts from the Chesapeake Bay, Nation's Capital and Shawnee councils.

Local troops that took part included Troop 2062 led by Jean Naples; Cadette Troop 270 of Glen Bernie run by Christine Gestiehr; and Cadette Troop 414 of Annapolis headed by Susan Jones.

Girls began arriving at the Legislative Services Building security station at 7:15 a.m. and headed to the cavernous, wood-paneled Joint Hearing Room on the first floor.

State Sen. Lisa A. Gladden, D-Baltimore, a former Girl Scout and a sponsor of SB 643, greeted the girls and provided a bit of background about how Maryland's two legislative chambers work.

In the office of Del. Pamela G. Beidle, D-Linthicum, the girls discussed their environmental interests while promoting the bill. The delegate suggested they go online to follow the status of environmental bills being considered. The Web site is www.mlis.state.md.us.

"We're facing lots of issues this session," she said. "We have bills concerning global warming and chemicals."

She cut the meeting short. It was the birthday of Del. Mary Ann Love, D-Glen Burnie, and the

Anne Arundel County delegation decided to surprise her with a cake before the morning's session began.

At 10 a.m., some Scouts visited the galleries in the House and Senate chambers.

The Girl Scouts and leaders watched the twin billboard-sized digital displays on either side of the room as they instantly recorded legislators' votes. "They use technology a lot more than I thought they did," Briana said.

Before heading off to lunch and afternoon observations of committee hearings, the Girl Scouts waited in the State House lobby to meet Gov. Martin O'Malley.

As the girls lined up on the staircase, he came down quietly. The Scouts clustered around him and handed over a box of Samoas cookies.

To their delight, he clutched the box to his chest and ripped it open. Popping a cookie in his mouth, he waved the package at a staffer.

"These are mine!" Mr. O'Malley exclaimed.

Munching another cookie, the governor offered some to the Scouts surrounding him.

After the group posed, he walked away, holding onto the last Samoa.

"I would like to do this again. I really had fun," said Sarah.

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Wendi Winters is a freelance writing living on the Broadneck Peninsula.